WESTMINSTER had its Name from the Minster, that is, the Monastery, situate Westward; as there was another Minster, not far from the Tower of London, Eastward of the City, called Eastminster. It was anciently but a Town; and so it was called about the Beginning of King Henry VIII; for I have seen an old Book in that Time printed in the Town of Westminster. There was an Act of Parliament in 37 H. 8, to authorize that King, by Letters Patents or Proclamations, to make Westminster an Honour, with some other Places of the Kings, viz. Kyngston upon Hull, St. Osyth's in Essex, and Donnington in Berks.

In former Times there was not a continued Street or Buldings between London and Westminster, as now there is; but much vacant Space of Fields and open Grounds between. Then the Way was often bad to pass; and the Sheriffs of London have sometimes taken Care for the Reparation thereof. Thus did King John send to them to that Purpose. Preceptum fuit Vicecomitibus London, ad reparandum viam à London ad Westmonasterium.

The High-way of the Strand from Temple-bar to the Savoy, seems to have been paved about An. 1385, in the Reign of K. Richard II. in whose eighth Year Tole was granted to be taken for that Purpose. And again the like was granted in 24 H. 6. An. 1446. But the Paving went no farther than to the Savoy, till towards the latter Part of the Reign of Q. Elizabeth, Sir Robert Cecil, Kt. building a fair House somewhat beyond the Savoy, at Ivie Bridge, levelled and paved the High-way near adjoining.]